EXTENSION IPM IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM FOR NEW JERSEY

The project proposes to increase IPM adoption in blueberries, tree fruit and grapes, improve pollinator health, IPM education of pesticide applicators, support the Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Center, and improve IPM adoption following COVID-19 in Housing Authorities.The purpose of the Specialty Crops project is to provide fruit growers with up-to-date information, IPM demonstration projects, training about IPM practices, establishment of invasive pest management strategies and establishment of an IPM program for wine grapes. This is important because the recent introduction of new invasive insects into New Jersey has caused fruit growers to apply more insecticides. Increasing adoption of new IPM techniques targeting these pests will result in less insecticide use and reduce impacts on the environment and non-target organisms.The purpose of the Pollinator Health project is to establish a honey bee health monitoring system provide pollinator friendly recommendations, establish a pollinator working group, and develop a pollinator protection plan. This is important because of the harm that pesticides are causing with honey bees thereby potentially threatening our food supply. By improving the communication between growers and apiarists, and creating protection plans we can reduce the potential harm to honey bees and resulting threats to the food supply.The purpose of the Education for Pesticide Applicators project is to incorporate IPM information into the self-study training materials used by growers and commercial pesticide applicators study for state licensing exams and develop/deliver IPM presentations to NJ applicators. Incorporating IPM information materials and talks into the training programs used by applicators to study for their licensing exams we can improve their knowledge of alternatives to the use of pesticides to control pests thereby reducing pesticide use in the state.The purpose of the Pest Diagnostic Facilities project is to provide diagnostic services to the public, state and federal agencies, commercial/agricultural stakeholders, and university researchers, and participate in NJ Department of Agriculture and USDA APHIS sponsored surveys for newly introduced pests. Proper identification of pests is key to their management. Providing proper identification will reduce the use of unneeded or ineffective pesticides against them thereby reducing impacts on the environment.The purpose of the Training and Implementation in Housing project is to develop and provide training to housing staff and resident leaders at 15 NJ Housing Authorities about a comprehensive IPM program to control multiple pests under current COVID restrictions. This is important because recent COVID restrictions have reduced the use of IPM techniques to control pests increasing the reliance on insecticides. By providing training on how to use IPM under COVID conditions we can reduce insecticide use and protect human health.